CVE-2014-2158 in TelePresence MXP
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco TelePresence System MXP Series Software before F9.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted SIP packets, aka Bug ID CSCty45720.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2014-2158 affects Cisco TelePresence System MXP Series Software versions prior to F9.3.1, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers through crafted SIP packets. This vulnerability specifically targets the multimedia communication infrastructure used in video conferencing systems, where the TelePresence MXP series serves as a core component for managing audiovisual communications in enterprise and government environments. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) messages, which are standard protocols used for establishing, modifying, and terminating real-time sessions that include video, voice, messaging, and other communications applications. The vulnerability is catalogued under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input data, specifically focusing on the lack of proper bounds checking and validation of SIP message parameters that could lead to system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker sends specially crafted SIP packets to the affected TelePresence device, triggering an unhandled exception within the software processing pipeline. These malformed packets contain sequences that cause the system to enter an infinite loop or memory corruption state, ultimately resulting in the device performing an automatic reload or reboot. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication credentials, making it accessible to anyone who can send packets to the device's network interface. The vulnerability impacts the availability of critical communication infrastructure, potentially disrupting business continuity and emergency response systems that rely on these telepresence solutions. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting communication systems, and represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or input validation vulnerability that can be leveraged for service disruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2158 extends beyond simple device downtime, as it affects mission-critical communication infrastructure in organizations that depend on reliable video conferencing capabilities for remote collaboration, telemedicine, emergency response coordination, and international business meetings. When a TelePresence device reloads due to this vulnerability, it can interrupt ongoing conferences, lose valuable meeting data, and create communication gaps that may have significant financial and operational consequences. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network security controls. Organizations using these systems may experience cascading effects where the disruption of one communication endpoint affects multiple downstream services, especially in environments where telepresence systems integrate with other enterprise communication platforms. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware in embedded communication systems, as the issue was resolved through the release of Cisco's F9.3.1 software update that includes proper input validation mechanisms and enhanced packet processing routines.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate telepresence systems from general network traffic, deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SIP traffic patterns, and application of the vendor-provided security patches. Network administrators should also consider implementing rate limiting and access control lists to restrict SIP traffic to authorized sources only, while monitoring for unusual device restart patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of vulnerability management programs that include regular security assessments, timely patch deployment, and continuous monitoring of communication infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security awareness training for IT staff to recognize potential signs of exploitation and understand the proper procedures for responding to denial of service incidents in critical communication systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched software in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure that the update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing telepresence configurations or network infrastructure components.